By Jennifer Ponce, the DOVES Program
Domestic violence isn’t limited by race, gender, or income. It’s a widespread issue that can affect anyone, yet the experience of abuse is different for survivors who live in poverty. When financial resources are scarce, the barriers to leaving an abusive relationship can feel insurmountable. Poverty doesn't cause domestic violence, but it can amplify it, creating a cycle where survivors are forced to choose between violence and destitution.
Research shows that financial strain is a significant factor in domestic violence, with families experiencing poverty facing a 9.5% rate of domestic abuse compared to 2.5% among those not facing financial hardship. This isn’t because poverty causes violence—it’s because abusers often exploit economic hardship to control their victims. Financial abuse is a common tactic: survivors report that 99% of abusers take control of household finances, restrict their access to money, or prevent them from working. This leaves survivors trapped, unable to leave without facing homelessness or worse poverty, especially if they have children.
The stress of living paycheck to paycheck can escalate anger and conflict in a household. The constant pressure of not having enough can fuel arguments and worsen an abuser’s controlling behaviors. Poverty doesn’t create violence, but it can heighten the volatility of already abusive dynamics, making every day a potential danger for survivors. Financial hardship feeds feelings of powerlessness, increasing the likelihood of violence as an unhealthy outlet for frustration.
Survivors living in poverty often face impossible choices. When money is tight, seeking medical care after an assault may be out of the question. Emergency room visits, counseling sessions, and even routine healthcare can seem like luxuries they simply can’t afford. Legal assistance is another hurdle. Without money for a lawyer, survivors face a justice system that is inaccessible, especially when abusers use court hearings as a tactic to drain victims financially and force them to miss work, risking their job security.
Access to safe housing is yet another obstacle. Even when survivors find the courage and resources to leave, the lack of affordable housing options can force them back into the arms of their abusers. Shelters are often full, and waiting lists for low-income housing are often long. Many survivors are faced with a stark reality: endure the abuse, or risk homelessness.
For survivors living in poverty, food insecurity is a constant worry. The inability to feed themselves and their children can be a powerful deterrent against leaving an abusive partner. Food assistance programs can help, but they often come with restrictions and limitations, leaving families hungry and desperate. Abusers can exploit this vulnerability by withholding food or controlling access to resources, deepening the victim’s dependence.
Public policy has not kept up with the reality of domestic violence and poverty. Survivors who leave their abusers often face a punitive system that cuts off access to public assistance if they can't immediately find work. Policies like paid sick leave, equal pay, and affordable childcare aren’t just good economic policies—they’re lifesaving measures for survivors. Without these supports, survivors are left to navigate an impossible situation, often forced back into the hands of their abusers out of sheer financial necessity.
When we fail to address the intersection of poverty and domestic violence, we fail survivors. It’s not enough to simply provide emergency shelter or a hotline. We need to dismantle the economic barriers that keep survivors trapped, from wage inequality and lack of paid leave, to inaccessible legal and healthcare services. By addressing the root causes of financial dependency and prioritizing policies that empower survivors, we can break the cycle of abuse and poverty that leaves too many families stuck in a relentless loop of violence.